Can I Vent For Just A Moment?

Not too long ago I ventured back into the world of “day jobs”, most specifically, RESTAURANTS.

Suddenly filled with fear that my bills wouldn’t be paid, and my creative projects wouldn’t be funded, I accepted – hesitantly – a job in a swanky Beverly Hills establishment.

I was reassured that over 60% of the staff were actors, and that the managers understood such a life. As long as I gave them enough notice for schedule changes, it wouldn’t be a problem if auditions came up, or I got cast in something. 

The restaurant was in the heart of Beverly Hills, situated across the street from a huge movie studio and talent agency. And the clientele who ate there? Well, they run Hollywood. Literally. Producers, CEOs’s, Managers, A list Celebrities.

I was excited to be around that kind of energy, to learn the names and faces of these Hollywood money-makers. I was excited to be associated with a restaurant of that caliber. I was excited at what information I could walk away with about this industry.

I was not excited, however, at the hour long drive I had to endure in traffic. And the cost of parking. And not getting breaks after working 6 hours.

But alas, I continued the 2 week training process. But the universe had other plans for me. . .

On the 2^nd day of training a big audition came up. Had to miss work.

The next week, I had a health emergency. Had to miss work.

A few days later, I had an audition that would take me out of town for a few days. Had to miss work.

And then I got rear-ended one night on my way home from work. Car was totaled. I emailed my job to tell them what happened. NO RESPONSE.

 

So I quit.

 

I knew the management was getting tired of me – of the last minute auditions, and my schedule requests and changes. I knew that although they claimed to have a staff comprised of 60% of actors, they were not the kind of actors I’ve been around.

The kind of actors I’m used to are those who hustle, who don’t know what their next job is and who don’t know where they’ll be next month because they might get a call to do a show in Atlanta or Florida. The kind of actor who is constantly being referred to be in this project or this show or this film. The kind of actors who might seem like they are in limbo, but that’s because they’re always transitioning from project to project.

Well, I knew I was not willing to sacrifice anything creative for the day job. I was not willing to not go out of town for a television audition. I was not going to be made to feel bad for having this kind of life or this kind of schedule.

And when the day job became more stressful than the “creative job”, I knew I had to leave. Actually, I knew I had to leave when I felt guilty for being rear-ended and having to miss work because my back and neck were injured. Yea, that was definitely when I knew I was done.

Part of me was hoping for the stability that a job gives– a set schedule and a guaranteed paycheck. Guess there were other plans for me. Back to the gypsy life!

-- Dominique | @domtoney

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[Jennifer Miranda]

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[Eric]

Hey Dominique,

That's a sucky situation with that restaurant. Glad you've got enough hustle to keep pushing. I touched on the actor/job situation in one of my recent blog posts. Check out when you get a chance.

http://www.empowernetwork.com/iamthecoolnerd/the-end-of-the-struggling-actor-era/

See ya on stage and film. :-)

[Linda Fausnet]

Sorry it didnt work out. It's probably for the best I guess. I hope you find something better!